South of Tucson and down into Madera Canyon. The drive in is eye candy for any hiker. The trailhead is up slope from the restrooms. It starts off easy and wide going up. This is an old road that used to be lined with picnic tables before the parking was upgraded to accommodate the crowds. Soon you come to a junction with the Vault Mine Trail, proceed left on Old Baldy. Vegetation is loaded with various oaks and incredible mandrones throughout the hike. The area is popular with bird enthusiast. Be on the lookout for the elusive Elegant Trogon!

Almost 1,700 feet up Josephine Saddle is reached at 2.3 miles / 7,100ft. This junction intercepts six paths providing reason to return. It's another 1.8 miles around the northern slopes to Baldy Saddle.

The Super Trail and Old Baldy continue together for less than a quarter mile. Old Baldy continues to the left. Here the vegetation starts to turn. Beautiful trophy chiricahua pines fill the slope. Their limbs reach out far and wide. Views to the northwest open up. The slope of the mountain is steep. You barely notice it slicing through a pine needle covered trail. This picturesque setting is what every boyscout dreams of on their maiden voyage. Undoubtedly rushed they return decades later to savor the moment.

1.2mi from Josephine Saddle or 0.6mi before reaching Baldy Saddle you pass Bellow Springs. Soon followed by nearly a dozen tight switchbacks up to the saddle. Views on the saddle open up. From here it's 0.85mi on the Crest Trail to the peak.

Wide views on Mount Wrightson (noted as "Baldy 2" on topo) reveal mountain ranges few know exist. To the North and Northeast the Catalinas and Rincons dominate. Baboquivari and it's towering massif is easily spotted to the west. Only 25 miles away Mexico dominates the southern views.

Note: Data is derived from a combination of GPS and topo map routing. The Coronado FS data is known to be erroneous.

Choices: As seen in the Wrightson Wilderness map, several trails ascend Mt Wrightson. Technically the shortest ascent to the summit is via the Garden Canyon Trail #143. However with its four-wheel drive access the Madera Canyon options are more appealing coming from Tucson. The Super Trail #134 has more switchbacks providing a less strenuous ascent. That might be a better choice if you're hauling a backpack or looking to ease the knees on your descent. Combing the two trails is a popular choice.

Revised 2008: Original summary posted on 2000-06-21
- Jun 15 2008 joe bartels